FIFA World Cup 2018 thread
06-09-2017, 12:26 PM
The World Cup, no event I look forward to more, always so great to see the whole world get hyped for a face off. The Europeans with their super professional top competing teams, where even a smaller team that qualified can cause trouble to big teams. The North Americans with their enthusiasm and athleticism, the Asians with their tactically disciplined teams, where no individual is above the rest, the Africans with their speed, natural talent but lack of tactics which can cause them to surprise a top team or to get kicked out by a weaker European team. Finally the Latinos with their aggressive play, their trickery on the pitch and off course their individual quality.
In Asia it seems there will be no surprises, regular candidates with Japan, South Korea, Iran and then S.Arabia/Australia to qualify directly or face off Uzbekistan.
In Africa I am def. rooting for the DRC, some really nice talents there and it just a country you want to experience the joy of participating at the WC. They have to take care of Tunesia to make it though. Nigeria will qualify as well, once again with a lot of top talents, super fast flanks and attackers, they cannot be missed on the tournament, too bad it will be instead of current African champions Cameroon. The two following groups are still open. Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso having the lead, but don't count out Morocco, South Africa and Senegal. Will be a tight finish in these groups. Morocco would be nice because of their technically skilled players. The last group is a surprising one. Ghana will have a lot of difficulty to qualify it seems, one loss and they are out. Egypt is taking the lead but I sincerely hope Uganda makes it. It would be for the first time in a while East Africa has a participant and Uganda is absolutely football crazy. No doubt their fans would be a big attraction in Russia. The 28th of August and 2nd of September they face each other.
North America will just have Mexico, Costa Rica and the US as participants I imagine, I don't see Panama surprising anymore.
South America will come with their strongest teams as well: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia and Chile. Only if Chile loses 3 unrightfully awarded points after Bolivia beat them but played an unregistered player, then Ecuador still has a shot for the play off position, but I doubt it. Ecuador just lacks quality.
New Zealand will play a direct play off, but I don't think they will make it.
Europe then, what surprises are we seeing? The bigger teams that are having a lot of difficulties are the Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine, Austria and Romania. Smaller teams who are surprising for now: Northern Ireland, Ireland, Montenegro, Slovakia and Iceland. We will know more after the qualifications today and coming days. It will be interesting to see Italy play a play off as well after ending second after Spain most likely, stress levels will be high. The same goes for current European champions Portugal.
Besides this I see some top favorites with weaker teams. Germany is missing the likes of Lahm and although still a strong team, I don't see them winning the cup this time around. The same goes for Spain. Xavi-Iniesta was a golden duo, the new generation is not reaching that level yet. Bigger competitors might be France, which undoubtedly has the most talent of all teams worldwide: Pogba, Mbappe, Kante, Dembele, Coman, Martial, ... wow their future is secured, big contenders! Belgium will also be a team to be watched. Although their talent is undeniable, their arrogance and youth sins have cost them success in earlier tournaments. Now the golden generation is reaching their top: Hazard, Lukaku, Mertens, Nainggolan, Carrasco, Benteke, Alderweireld, Vertonghen all had a topseason. King Kompany is fit again to lead the troops and there are several young talents knocking at the door in Tielemans, Batshuayi, Origi, J.Lukaku, Th.Hazard.
Nice outsiders as always will be Croatia and maybe Poland. Switzerland, Serbia won't be defeated easily but they won't make the quarters I believe. England remains the wild card. Lots of talent, but will they finally present a team? There is hope now that they leave overrated players like Rooney home and have up and coming stars like Kane taking the lead.